Izmailovsky Park Moscow covers more than 300 hectares in the east of the city, on land that was once the country estate of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, and it was opened as a park of culture and leisure in 1931. Entry is free, and the park mixes birch and pine forest with an amusement area, ponds and a historic cathedral.
It is large enough that visitors often use only one corner, and the two Metro stations on its edge lead to very different parts. This guide explains how Partizanskaya and Izmailovskaya differ, what to see near the main entrance including the Ferris wheel and the Round Pond, what the royal estate left behind, how the park differs from the neighboring Izmailovo Kremlin and its market, and how to plan a visit by season.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Измайловский парк культуры и отдыха |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1931 |
| Address | Alleya Bolshogo Kruga 7, Moscow 105187 |
| District | Izmaylovo |
| Metro | Partizanskaya (Line 3, dark blue, the closest station to the main entrance, according to a guide) Izmailovskaya (Line 3, dark blue, next to the more natural forest section on the northern side) |
| Opening hours | The park is described as open to visitors year-round at any time of day, while amusement rides, cafes and rentals keep their own hours (as of October 2026 – check the official site). |
| Admission | Entry to the park is free; amusement rides, rentals and some events have their own prices, so check the official site. |
| Best time to visit | The park is open year-round: summer for rides, boats and festivals, autumn for forest colors, and winter for skiing. Weekday mornings are quiet and weekends are busy. Check the official site for events, since concerts and festivals bring crowds. |
| Recommended duration | About 2 to 4 hours |
| Website | izmailovsky-park.ru |
| Last updated | October 9, 2026 |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to Izmailovsky Park Moscow?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The park, forest, ponds and paths | Included in the standard ticket | Free to enter and walk. |
| Amusement rides and the Ferris wheel | Separate ticket or institution | Paid rides with their own prices and seasons. |
| Boat, bike and ski hire | Separate ticket or institution | Paid rentals with their own hours. |
| The cathedral on the historic island | Included in the standard ticket | A historic building within the park area; check whether the interior is open. |
| The Izmailovo Kremlin and Vernisazh market | Outside / not part of it | A separate complex next to the park near Partizanskaya. |
| Sokolniki Park | Outside / not part of it | A different large park; see the Sokolniki Park Moscow guide. |
Why Visit Izmailovsky Park Moscow?
The park is big and green, and it feels like the countryside inside the city. The area near Partizanskaya has fairground attractions, including the Big Ferris Wheel installed in 1957, said to be the oldest in Moscow, and the area near Izmailovskaya is more of a natural forest. The Round Pond has a man-made island, and a cathedral dated to 1679 stands on the historic island.
The park also has a long history: the village of Izmailovo is first mentioned in 1389, and in the 17th century it was a country estate of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. In winter the park is used for skiing, and in summer boats and bikes can be hired, according to a guide.
How Izmailovsky Park Moscow Is Laid Out
The park is bounded on the north by the tram line near Izmailovskaya Metro and on the south by Entuziastov Highway, and it is served by three stations: Partizanskaya, Izmailovskaya and Shosse Entuziastov. The area south of Partizanskaya has the fairground attractions, two Ferris wheels and cafes, and the area by Izmailovskaya is more natural forest.
The Round Pond with a man-made island, a memorial area, sports grounds and playgrounds lie between them. The historic Izmailovo Estate was on an artificial island on the Serebryanka River, and a cathedral dated to 1679 survives there. Adjacent to the park near Partizanskaya are the Izmailovo Kremlin and the Vernisazh market, which are a separate complex, covered in the Izmailovo Kremlin and Izmailovo Park Itinerary. Check the official site for the current map.
Highlights of Izmailovsky Park Moscow
The Big Ferris Wheel and the amusement area
The amusement area near Partizanskaya has rides and cafes, and the Big Ferris Wheel was installed in 1957 and is said to be the oldest in Moscow. It is the best-known landmark of the park and a favorite with families. Check which rides are open, since they have their own prices and seasons.
Tip: Go on a weekday, since the rides are quieter.
The forest and birch woods
The park is largely forest, including birch woods, and the section near Izmailovskaya feels like the countryside, with long paths, bike lanes and quiet clearings. It is the calm side of the park. Allow time for a long walk. Check the weather, since paths can be muddy in spring.
Tip: Enter from Izmailovskaya for the quietest forest.
The Round Pond
The Round Pond has a man-made island and is one of the main water features of the park. In summer boats can be hired, according to a guide. It makes a good rest stop. Check boat hire hours.
Tip: Bring a snack and sit by the water in the afternoon.
The Intercession Cathedral on the historic island
The Izmailovo Estate stood on an artificial island on the Serebryanka River, and a cathedral dated to 1679 stands there, one of the few survivors of the royal estate. Sources differ on whether it was first built as a church in 1676. It is near the Izmailovo Kremlin side. Check whether the interior is open.
Tip: Visit it together with the Izmailovo Kremlin complex nearby.
Winter skiing and summer rentals
In winter the park is a popular place for skiing, and skis can be hired, and in summer boats and bikes can be hired, according to a guide. Free outdoor classes such as yoga and dancing are also held through the year according to an encyclopedic page. Check rental hours and prices.
Tip: Book a weekday slot for winter ski hire, since weekends are busy.
The Izmailovo Kremlin and Vernisazh market
Next to the park near Partizanskaya is the Izmailovo Kremlin, a cultural complex of colorful wooden buildings that imitate old Russian architecture, with the Vernisazh market of crafts and souvenirs. It is a separate complex and not part of the park. Check the market's days and hours, which are separate.
Tip: Visit the market on a weekend morning, when the stalls are open.
Atmosphere
Near Partizanskaya the park hums with fairground music, the creak of the Ferris wheel and families at food stands, while a few minutes’ walk away the noise drops and tall birches and pines close in. Paths run long and straight, with joggers, cyclists and people walking dogs.
Weekends are lively, with festivals and concerts, and weekdays are calm. In autumn the forest turns yellow, and in winter skis and snow take over the paths. The contrast between the funfair side and the quiet forest side is the character of the park.
History of Izmailovsky Park Moscow
The village of Izmailovo is first mentioned in chronicles in 1389. Between 1571 and 1585 it was a country estate of the boyar Zakharyin-Yuriev family, and in the 17th century it became a favored estate of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, who founded his country residence there. The Izmailovo Estate stood on an artificial island, and a church on Serebryany Island of 1676 became a cathedral in 1679.
After the tsar’s death the estate declined. Some historians believe that Peter the Great spent part of his childhood in Izmailovo. In 1930 or 1931 the Izmailovo Park of Culture and Leisure was established and was briefly named after Stalin. The Metro station now called Partizanskaya was originally named Izmailovsky Park.
Today the park covers more than 300 hectares and is a protected landscape area. Dates and details should be checked against the park’s official site, and this history is shorter than requested because few facts could be verified; sources give 1930 and 1931 for the park’s founding.
Tickets and Booking for Izmailovsky Park Moscow
Entry. The park is free and needs no booking, and it can be entered from several sides. Rides, rentals and events have their own prices and rules, and the Izmailovo Kremlin complex has its own opening hours and charges. Rates for Russian citizens and concessions differ for paid services, so check the official site izmailovsky-park.ru for all categories.
Payment. Cash in rubles is the safe option for rides and cafes. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are reported not to work in Russia, and your country’s sanctions rules may restrict some payment services, so check this yourself.
Plan and Book
Suggested itineraries Izmailovsky Park Moscow
2 hours
Start at Partizanskaya, see the Ferris wheel area, walk to the Round Pond and circle it, then return by the forest paths.
Half day
Combine the park with the Izmailovo Kremlin and the Vernisazh market, then walk to the cathedral on the island before leaving.
Forest day
Enter from Izmailovskaya, take a long walk through the birch woods, stop at the pond and finish in the fairground area at Partizanskaya.
How to Get to Izmailovsky Park Moscow
Take the Metro to Partizanskaya (Line 3, dark blue), the closest station to the main entrance, or to Izmailovskaya (Line 3) for the natural forest section. Shosse Entuziastov (a station on the Metro and the Moscow Central Circle) serves the southern side. The park’s main address is Alleya Bolshogo Kruga 7.
- By bus: several ground routes run from Partizanskaya to the park, according to a guide.
- By taxi: ask for Izmailovsky Park, the main entrance.
- Market: the Izmailovo Kremlin and market are on the Partizanskaya side.
Accessibility
The park is large, with paved paths in the main areas and forest trails elsewhere, and detailed accessibility facilities were not verified on the official site, so check izmailovsky-park.ru for routes before you go.
Food Nearby
Cafes and food stands are found in the amusement area near Partizanskaya, and a guide mentions cafes in the park; the exact venues were not verified. The Izmailovo Kremlin area has more food options.
What to Bring
Bring comfortable shoes, repellent in summer, warm layers in winter and cash in rubles for rides and rentals.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Izmailovsky Park Moscow
The Big Ferris Wheel
The 1957 wheel against the sky with the fairground below it.
Best time: Late afternoon, with warm light.
The Round Pond
The pond and its island framed by birches.
Best time: Autumn mornings.
The birch woods
Long paths between white birch trunks with filtered light.
Best time: Early morning.
The cathedral on the island
A historic cathedral beside water and trees near the estate.
Best time: Clear days, midday.
Photography Rules
Photography in the open park is generally allowed for personal use, and tripods and drones are not appropriate near crowded events; drones must not be flown over the park or the Kremlin complex.
Family Suitability
Very suitable for families: the park has amusement rides, a Ferris wheel, playgrounds and sports areas, and wide paths for strollers in the main parts. Check which rides are open and their age limits.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Choose your corner: Partizanskaya for rides and the Kremlin, Izmailovskaya for forest.
- Do not confuse the park with the Izmailovo Kremlin and market, which is a separate complex.
- Go on a weekday for quiet paths, since weekends bring festivals.
- Visit the cathedral on the historic island, since few visitors look for it.
- In winter, check ski hire in advance, since stock is limited.
- Combine the park with the Izmailovo Kremlin and Izmailovo Park Itinerary for a full day.
Explore Nearby Izmailovsky Park Moscow
Sights near Izmailovsky Park Moscow
Sokolniki Park Moscowabout 5.6 km away · typical visit: About 2 to 4 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Museum of the History of Lefortovo Moscowabout 2.5 km away · typical visit: About 1 to 1.5 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Izmailovo Kremlin Moscowabout 2.8 km away · typical visit: 2–3 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Izmailovo Vernissage Market Moscowabout 2.9 km away · typical visit: About 1.5 to 3 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Izmailovsky Park Moscow
Hotel Izmailovo Alfaabout 2.3 km awayMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Vega Hotel and Convention Centerabout 2.4 km awayMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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Browse more: More in Izmaylovo · All Parks · All Sightseeing
FAQ: Izmailovsky Park Moscow
Is Izmailovsky Park free?
Yes. Entry is free, and rides and rentals charge separately.
Which Metro station is best?
Partizanskaya for the main entrance and rides, Izmailovskaya for the forest.
Is the Izmailovo Kremlin part of the park?
No. It is a separate complex next to the park near Partizanskaya.
How big is the park?
More than 300 hectares.
What is the oldest ride?
The Big Ferris Wheel, installed in 1957 and described as the oldest in Moscow.
Who owned the estate?
Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in the 17th century.
Is it open in winter?
Yes, and skiing is popular.
Can I pay with a foreign card?
Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are reported not to work in Russia, so carry cash in rubles; see the booking section for sanctions rules.
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Last updated: October 9, 2026.
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